Paris – London – New York – Milan, Sydney and all, you need to take example on China. There. Said it. 中国大学生时装周日程表 (China Graduate Fashion Week) is in town and they rock!

孙_鑫 – The model in a design from a Donghua student

Since Wednesday in Beijing there is a BIG Fashion Week under way and it is all about the FASHION UNIVERSITIES and it is amazing! Fashion graduates from all over China are here to present their graduation shows. It started Wednesday where as a collaborator of 360 Fashion Network I first saw the schools of Donghua and Hongzhou. It was great and i was blown away! we interviewed the designers and saw some truly fresh ideas and great craftmanship. Yesterday it was Tianjin, Dianli and Hebei. There are many more but I cannot stretch my time so much so I skipped a few and will return tonight for the famous CAFA (China Academy of Fine Arts), the school Yu Wanning graduated from. *https://fearless-in-beijing.com/2012/12/07/good-evening-from-beijing/

Got to love the « secret » Swiss Cuckoo-clock feel of this dress from the school of Hongzhuo

It is – exceptionally well organized, and all these school shows are presented on a small army of very beautiful and professional models, styled and groomed with professional hairdressers and makeup, (even if at times a bit heavy handed).

A little feel of « Jesus Christ Superstar » complete with halos and all – no wings. But a sexy chain in her back

For each show, one hair-do and one makeup per girl but it looks great. The two venues are big and proper. All the shows start on time and all is incredibly polished and professional. I am VERY impressed. So if the clothes are not always credible or even ‘good’ by some of my -admittedly high – standards, this is an incredible event and I am very proud to be a part of it thanks to their digital sponsor 360. Some schools definitely stand out already. Hongzhou, the first to present, was I think more in the vein of Central Saint Martins or my « Alma Mater » Studio Berçot in terms of quality and creativity, but all are doing a most impressive work in unleashing the creativity of their students. Having worked for a few months with BIFT/UAL students, I know how little of ‘our’ cultural references these kids know, so seeing influences from either Claude Montana or Kansai Yamamoto was I knew purely coincidental but nonetheless amazing.

李静雪 – just lovely, outside the venue with still some « decor » in her hair

As I want to be fair to all and have the names of the students I loved most, today I will post about the bystanders and the beautiful models that are working their asses off to give this Fashion Week the amazing vibe it has. The CLOTHES which is what this is all about will be coming next with proper credit. Promise.

So for now, to all of you, Well Done! I do not mean to be patronizing, you are awesome! You work hard and look amazing doing it! Bravo! I look forward to the rest of the week.

白白白白白– Super nice, she waited patiently for me to get the light right.